WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2016

ECUMENICAL PRAYER SERVICE with Emphasis on Refugees

Sunday, January 24th at 4:00 P.M.
Good Shepherd Chaldean Church,
2 High Meadow Place

Come and join us in an ecumenical prayer service with His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, Anglican Archbishop Colin Johnson, Chaldean Bishop Emanuel Shaleta, Evangelical Lutheran Bishop Michael Pryse and other city-wide religious leaders on Sunday, January 24th at 4:00 PM at Good Shepherd Chaldean Church, 2 High Meadow Place (northwest of Finch & Highway 400).

The homilist will be His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins. Refreshments will follow in the parish hall. Parking is available. For further information, please contact the Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs at 416-934-3400, Ext. 344 or Ext. 527 or email vkwok@archtoronto.org.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR CONSECRATED LIFE CELEBRATION

Sunday, January 31st at 3:00 PM

St. Paul’s Basilica, 83 Power Street

On Tuesday, February 2nd, the Church celebrates the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. In the Archdiocese of Toronto, we are blessed to have living and serving among us more than 900 religious men and women of 100 different religious congregations. This World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life is a wonderful opportunity for us to thank God for the gifts of these religious sisters, brothers and priests and to pray for God’s blessing upon them in their efforts to faithfully live the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience.

On Sunday, January 31st at 3:00 PM. at St. Paul’s Basilica, there will be a special Mass to close the Year for Consecrated Life. Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick will preside at the Mass in celebration of the vocation and witness of these special men and women religious who are such a vital and important part of the life and ministry of the Church in our archdiocese. All are welcome to attend.

WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES

Wednesday January 17th

Pope Francis declared the theme for January 17th, 2016, World Day of Migrants and Refugees to be “Migrants and Refugees Challenge Us. The Response of the Gospel of Mercy.”

Weeks later, Cardinal Thomas Collins established Project Hope in the Archdiocese of Toronto in response to the refugee crisis in the Middle East. Since then, we have established enough sponsorship committees to support 90 refugee families and raised more than $3.5 million to support newcomers in their first year of resettlement.

Cardinal Collins wrote: “This is a tremendous accomplishment and I thank all donors for this tangible demonstration of assistance for refugee families in great need. I also wish to express my profound thanks to the countless volunteers who have formed refugee settlement committees. Let us continue to pray for all those persecuted and displaced in so many parts of our world.”

IMMIGRATION LAWYER NEEDED

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Conference often meet Neighbours in Need who require professional help, but have no resources.

We are asking any of our parishioners who are Lawyers or who know Lawyers, specializing in immigration who would be willing to donate their time to contact the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Gabriel’s. Please call Brenda D’Souza 416-990-8892. Thank you very much for remembering the poor and for all your support in this mission of charity to our Neighbours in Need.

FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Each month food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre.

Rosalie Hall assists young parents and their children to realize their potential through the provision of a wide range of community, residential, educational and child development services.

Good Shepherd provides hot meals and shelter for the homeless in our city as well as a chance to start again through the Resettlement or DARE Programs

With everyone struggling at this time, your food donations are more important than ever. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your generous support.

MEALS ON WHEELS NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

The Volunteer organization Meals on Wheels, located at 80 Sheppard Avenue West is looking for drivers and runners for the organization.

If you would like more information, please contact Karen Leung at 416-225-6041 ext 319 or by email at kleung@mowam.ca and she will provide the details.

MOSAIC INTERFAITH

Sunday January 17th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Temple Har Zion, 7360 Bayview Avenue

Mosaic Interfaith of which St. Gabriel’s is a member invites you to an event this Sunday January 17th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at Temple Har Zion, 7360 Bayview Avenue, in honour of Martin Luther King’s birthday. The programme is “Young Voices Making a Difference” – a new generation taking up the challenge of social justice. See poster on the bulletin boards. For more information or to RSVP call Nora 416 218 0680.

AN EVENING OF TAIZE PRAYER, SONG AND REFLECTION

On Monday, January 18th at 6:30 PM you are invited to gather in God’s presence at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, 1155 Yonge St. 4thFloor, for Taizé Prayer, singing, listening to scripture readings and meditations with periods of silence. To this gathering, please bring your intentions, needs and in particular your experiences of loss.

THEOLOGY ON TAP EAST: PRAY IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT

Faith Connections, the Office of Catholic Youth, and the local parishes invite young adults (19-39) to join them for an evening of thought-provoking conversation on theological topics! Munchies are provided, and a cash bar is available. Come and bring a friend!

The Special guest will be Patrick Sullivan.

For more information: visit our Toronto Theology on Tap web page, or contact OCY by email youth@ocytoronto.org, or phone 416-599-7676. RSVPs are appreciated!

MINISTRY WITH MATURING ADULTS

Sr. Mary Rose Marrin CSJ will be offering a programme on the topic of Spiritual Growth in the Second Half of Life hosted by St. Bonaventure Church, 1300 Leslie St. on 6 Tuesday mornings at 10:00 AM on Jan. 19th & 26th , Feb. 16th & 23rd, March 15th & 22nd in the St. Francis Room. She will be covering a variety of topics including Caregiving, Walking by Faith, Our Life Story, Growth in Wisdom, Prayer, and A Lifelong Mission.

JESUS AND THE JEWISH ROOTS OF MASS

Saturday, January 23rd from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

Newman Centre, 89 St. George St. Toronto

All are invited to attend a half-day of formation and understanding of the Jewish roots of Mass. Lunch is provided. There will be Mass, a talk, small group discussions, time for prayer and fellowship, facilitated by John O’Brien, SJ., a Jesuit scholastic.

BLESSED TRINITY CWL VALENTINE’S DINNER DANCE

Saturday, February 6th from 6:00 PM

Blessed Trinity Church Hall, 3220 Bayview Avenue

The Catholic Women’s league of Blessed Trinity Parish is holding a Valentine Dinner Dance on Saturday February 6th at Blessed Trinity Parish Hall. There will be a cash bar, door prizes a raffle and a 50/50 draw.

Tickets are $40 per person,

For more information, please contact Velma at 413-226-0590 or Louise at 416-733-3546.

A CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE

Cardinal Collins has designated the weekend of February 6th/7th as Marriage Sunday in the Archdiocese of Toronto. The event provides an opportunity to honour husband and wife while saluting the faithfulness, sacrifice and joy that comes with the marriage covenant. To those preparing for marriage, newlyweds and those that have been companions on the journey for decades, we offer our prayers and best wishes in a special way this weekend.

On Saturday, February 13th, at 4:30 PM couples from across the archdiocese will gather for A Celebration of Marriage with Cardinal Thomas Collins at St. Andrew Kim Parish (849 Don Mills Road, North York). A reception will follow Mass. All are welcome!

FINANCE CORNER

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR 2016

Please pick up your 2016 envelopes as soon as possible if you have not already done so.

If you are contributing cash to the Offertory Collection without any identification, you will not receive credit for your contribution. If you are not currently using parish envelopes and wish to have a set issued for 2016, please contact the Parish Office and we will prepare a box for you. This is the most effective way to keep track of your donations.

Please inform the Parish Office if you have recently moved, so that we may keep our parish records up to date.
In 2016, please do not use any envelopes from previous years as the number on it may have been reassigned. Please put your name on your envelope to ensure that your donation is properly recorded.

Founded by St. Paul of the Cross, every Passionist takes a special vow to spend his or her energies in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus, the memory of the Cross, and reflection of the meaning of the Cross for the world.